NCCK raises alarm over voter bribery, coercion and 'goonism' as 2027 polls near

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure that Kenya’s 2027 General Election is determined by voters’ choices and not financial influence, warning that the monetisation of politics remains one of the biggest threats to electoral integrity.

The church umbrella body raised the concerns during a consultative engagement with the IEBC, where it called for stronger measures to protect the credibility of the 2027 electoral process.

NCCK said the growing role of money in elections has distorted democratic processes by influencing who can participate, who wins and whose interests are ultimately served after elections.

The Council said campaign financing, voter bribery, political coercion and misuse of public resources remain major challenges that must be addressed to guarantee free, fair and credible elections.

According to NCCK, political campaigns have become expensive ventures where wealthy individuals, businesses and informal financiers play a significant role, creating a perception that financial power matters more than the will of voters.

“Let us purposely make the ballot, not the money, the determiner of our elections,” NCCK said, calling for stronger implementation of campaign financing rules ahead of the 2027 polls.

The organisation urged the IEBC to ensure proper public participation in the proposed Election Campaign Financing Regulations 2026, warning that weak regulation of campaign spending could continue to undermine public confidence in elections.

NCCK further raised concerns over the misuse of public resources and state machinery during election periods, saying such practices undermine fair competition and public confidence in democratic institutions.

It called for stronger mechanisms to prevent electoral violence, including early warning systems and rapid response measures to address political gangs and intimidation.